Wildlife + Safari

Start with a morning pick-up from your accommodation in Cape Town.

Mandela’s dream of an Africa at peace with itself is slowly becoming true. Today’s journey into the dark apartheid past starts with an early morning pick-up from your Cape Town accommodation to the District Six Museum to listen to ex-residents tales of enforced removals in the dead of night and their homes levelled to make way for ‘whites-only’ suburbs… all in the name of ‘apart hood’ – apartheid.

Back in apartheid times, Table Mountain provided a natural border between black and white settlements and even if there’s no physical border in place today, the harsh reality of previously disadvantaged communities still shows. After a short drive to the Cape Flats, you’ll visit the township of Gugulethu for a glimpse into these infamous “dump grounds for non-whites”. In contrast to the city’s wide, clean streets and white-washed historic buildings, backstreets crammed with corrugated-roofed, shanty-style accommodation complete with shiny satellite dishes and colourful clotheslines awaits.

A local guide navigates the streets of Langa township with ease winding past small taverns called shebeens, convenience stores, and if time permits an inspiring community garden project, all to provide a glimpse into everyday life. Here, fellowship is at the heart of everything and the noisy streets are filled with song and soul.

But, this township has also endured its fair share of bloodshed in the name of freedom and a visit to the Amy Biehl memorial and the Gugulethu 7 monument reinforces just how violent the struggle was.

End this half-day tour of reflection with a journey back to Cape Town and a better understanding of the struggle toward a united South Africa. Your guide can drop you off at the heart of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront if you booked the additional add-on ferry ride and tour to Robben Island or drive back to your Cape Town accommodation.